The California Mansion That Lay Hidden For Six Decades

It sounds like the dream investment—a massive, 22,000-square-foot villa with a sea view on the cliffs. But this Californian mansion was not home to a wealthy trader or celebrity—it was only occasionally the stuff of rumor. 

Naturally, with such a pearl on the landscape going to waste for so long, nearby residents began to speculate whether the house was really abandoned. Could it have been a private institution? A front for a secret testing facility? 

The name “Bellosguardo” is Italian, though those of you with a keen eye for architecture may notice that the building doesn’t quite fit an Italian mold. The estate is named after the grand villa that originally stood where the central building now stands. 

While starting out as a trader, William Clark gained his wealth after becoming a banker. He made his money by repossessing mining properties when they could no longer afford them. As a result, his business became intertwined with the mining industry.

Two tragedies befell the Clark clan in 1925 that prevented them from enjoying their new home: first, the Santa Barbara earthquake ravaged the area, destroying the original building, prompting Anna Clark, Senator William’s widow, to rebuild it as a French-style mansion.

The Clark family was so well-to-do that the estate only served as their summer home. It required a small platoon of gardeners, cooks, servants, and laborers to maintain. During the great depression, the competition must have been fierce to land a spot there!

With so much wealth and property, the Clarks only had time to stay at one Italian-style mansion for a short time. They were split between Bellosguardo and many of their other homes and vacation villas. 

Fast-forward to 1962—after a decade of silence, the staff at Bellosguardo was given word that Anna had passed away. The estate’s ownership had been passed to her only surviving child, Huguette. There must have been much chatter amongst the staff that evening as the decade-long silence was broken.

We dare say that the value of the Clarks’ Santa Barbara mansion was largely enjoyed by the maintenance staff that lived there. Of course, none of them is allowed to occupy the main house or use any of the master bedrooms. However, it would be on record that the house helps were the estate’s longest occupants.

Beyond a few wear-and-tear repair jobs, the Santa Barbara estate remained as it was since 1951 when the family made their last trip. The floor was swept, the dust was wiped, and even the antiquated light bulbs were all in working order.

It isn’t just the floors and walls that are kept stain and dust-free. The staff went to great lengths to preserve the artwork of the house from diminishing over time. This painting, depicting Anna Clark, has been kept so fresh that it could have been painted yesterday.

For over half a century, a small team of dusters has been sent out to keep the book covers on the shelves of the enormous library walls clear of dust and cobwebs. Of course, not everything in the house is exposed to the elements.

The rooms in the Santa Barbara home of the Clarks are truly a sight to behold, with many of them featuring stunningly intricate wood paneling. These wood accents are a part of the family’s history and were originally installed in the Clarks’ Manhattan mansion.

Here’s another room frozen in time, evidence of the family’s love for leisure. The Clark’s music room was a true oasis of relaxation and enjoyment, equipped with not one but two Steinway pianos and a pair of French pedal harps, providing entertainment and enjoyment for the entire family.

The beautiful wooden staircase at Bellosguardo is a true aesthetic marvel, winding its way upwards from the mansion’s ground level and leading to the various bedrooms that comprise a portion of the 27 main rooms. 

When it came to matters of hygiene, Bellosguardo spares no expense—it is home to many stunning bathrooms, each more opulent than the last. From the fine stone surfaces to the golden accents, these luxurious spaces were designed to be a true oasis of relaxation and indulgence. 

As far as any member of the Clarks’ family was concerned, the value of the artifacts, fittings, and interior décor of the Bellosguardo went beyond the market value of those items. On the contrary, the estate and everything it embodied has become a symbolic part of the Clark family.

The outdoor spaces at Bellosguardo are just as impressive as the mansion’s interior. A “small” decorative pool with a beautiful design extends out into a maze of carefully pruned trees and ornamental hedges, eventually leading into the greater estate. 

The uninitiated in real estate valuation will assume that the sixty-something years of the Clarks leaving their property unused is an economic waste. But, far from it; if that were the case, Bellosguardo would not be a worthy focus in this piece.

If the Clarks family would ever consider giving up the Bellosguardo for sale, it would fetch some ridiculously handsome price. However, we are sure the buyer is likely to easily recoup the expense of the purchase.

In addition to the mansion and its stunning outdoor spaces, the grounds of Bellosguardo also feature the original carriage house. This charming building has been carefully preserved over the years and still holds a number of luxury vehicles.

Tucked away at the rear of the property is Andrée’s Cottage, named after Huguette’s older sister, Andrée, who passed away from meningitis in 1919. As a way of remembering and honoring her sister, Huguette chose to name the cottage after Andrée. 

It’s no secret that Bellosguardo is a truly valuable and impressive estate, with an estimated value of a whopping $85 million. Despite this enormous value, the owner of the property, 104-year-old heiress Huguette, never once considered selling it, even on her deathbed.

Since Huguette’s passing, the estate has been placed under the guidance of the Bellosguardo Foundation. The charitable organization has been dedicated to transforming the property into a cultural center for the arts. The mansion and its grounds will soon be open to the public, although small tours are available for supporters.

Converting the Bellosguardo to a resort is a great idea, but since the Clarks family is by no means in need of proceeds from the estate’s sale, Huguette’s decision is much better.

Visitors to Bellosguardo will, in the future, be able to enjoy picnic lunches near the beautiful rose gardens and experience the history of the Clark family and the estate firsthand. The Bellosguardo Foundation plans to open the estate to the arts as well.